Hayden Cann’s last-gasp strike secures win for Drogheda United in Louth derby thriller against Dundalk

Frantz Pierrot’s strike just after the restart gave the hosts the lead before a moment of madness from Drogheda’s Jethren Barr handed Dundalk a lifeline, as the ‘keeper was sent off for a wild challenge before Jamie Gullan slotted home the resulting free-kick.

It was looking like the spoils would be shared in the early kick off after a breathless clash, but it was Hayden Cann’s 94th-minute strike which secured a huge three points for Kevin Doherty’s side, who extended their unbeaten run at home to six games.

Drogheda skipper Gary Deegan produced an excellent display to inspire his side to their third win of 2024 in front of 2,339 at Weavers Park, with Evan Weir and Luke Heeney also impressing.

After missing the chance to overtake their Louth neighbours in the table, Dundalk suffered their first defeat of Noel King’s reign, although yet again it was Brian Gartland and Liam Burns leading in the away dugout. The Lilywhites remain bottom and now five points adrift of ninth-placed Drogheda.

The first chance of the derby arrived on 10 minutes as Warren Davis’ header went straight into the arms of Dundalk ‘keeper George Shelvey after a fine cross from right-back Heeney.

After a slow start, Drogheda soon settled and went close to taking the lead as Pierrot was found via a clever quick free-kick from Deegan, but an excellent last-ditch block from Andrew Boyle prevented the Haiti international from getting his shot off.

Backed by a vocal home support, Deegan dispossessed Paul Doyle brilliantly before slotting in Adam Foley on the right, but the midfielder’s tame effort was no trouble for Lilywhites ‘keeper Shelvey, who arrived from Nottingham Forest in February.

For much of the first-half, this derby was played at a frantic end-to-end pace, but there was also drama in the stands just before the break as Dundalk owner Brian Ainscough appeared to be rowing with a home supporter in the stand, before a steward stepped in to quell the disagreement.

Deegan then picked up his fifth booking of the season, one that will see the 36-year-old ruled out for Friday’s trip to Damien Duff’s Shelbourne.

After an even opening 45, it was Doherty’s men who enjoyed the perfect start to the second half as Pierrot fired the hosts ahead in the derby. Deegan did superbly to dispossess Doyle again as the Lilywhites attempted to play out from the back.

The ball fell to an unmarked Pierrot just inside the box, and the 25-year-old made no mistake and fired into the top corner for his third goal in six games. It was advantage Drogheda and the west stand was bouncing, with some flares ignited among the Ultras section.

Dundalk needed to drag themselves back into this derby and a leveller almost arrived on 70 minutes and a Drogheda mix up at the back allowed Gullan to pounce and fire towards goal but Heeney put himself in the right place at the right time to clear the ball off the line and keep his side’s lead intact.

Drogheda were flying but 15 minutes from time, disaster struck.

A long ball from Shelvey put substitute Cameron Elliott through on goal as Drogheda ‘keeper Barr found himself in no man’s land. The South African international totally mistimed his attempted clearance and instead, wiped out the Dundalk forward.

Barr put his head into the ground in agony from the challenge, but when he looked up the referee had a red card waiting for him. Forced to take their goalscorer Pierrot off, 10-man Drogheda now had a free-kick to defend.

But up stepped Gullan who curled the set-piece around the wall to draw Dundalk level. The away support erupted, but for the second time in this derby, flares were inexplicably thrown onto the pitch from that section resulting in a stoppage.

Just as it looked like the points would be shared, defender Cann, on loan from Lincoln City popped up with the winner as the ball fell kindly to him from close range after a fine Weir cross. Shelvey picked up a red card moments after the final whistle and as he left the field, the home side walked over to celebrate with their Ultras after securing the bragging rights.

Drogheda United: Barr; Heeney, Cann, Quinn, Weir; Deegan, Brennan; Foley, Markey (Gallagher 82), Davis (McNally 66); Pierrot (Wogan 76).

Dundalk: Shelvey; Davies, Johnson, Boyle, Doyle (Oostenbrink 60); High, Muller (O’Kane 89); Mountney (Elliott 73), Benson, Horgan; Gullan.

Referee: R Harvey.